Master Mix has three individual dynamics processors, each with its own set of controls and selectable crossover points. There are two separate six-band parametric EQs, one located before the dynamics section, and the other after. Each dynamics band is typically used as a compressor, but expansion is also possible. A dynamics contour edit screen provides setup of compressor parameters and allows a user to create the soft knee curve. Master Mix also offers a noise gate and soft-clip limiter.

Price: $59.99 – Master Mix, and other Tracktion DSP plug-ins such as the Micro Synth Pack, are currently offered at a 50% discount introductory price at marketplace.tracktion.com.

The release of new AAX (Avid Audio eXtension) versions makes SSL’s Duende Native plug-ins compatible with any 32-bit or 64-bit system running Pro Tools®/Pro Tools HD® 11 software. The continued compatibility with VST, AU and RTAS systems means that SSL plug-ins are available to almost all DAW users.

The new versions are available to download now from the SSL web site and are free to all existing owners. SSL is celebrating the release with 14 day introductory pricing on the Duende Native Essentials bundle at £99/$169/129€ (offer ends 25th Nov 2014. Terms and Conditions apply. Available online from the SSL web store only).

The legendary Stereo Bus Compressor plug-in gives you the classic SSL stereo master bus compressor that brings power and punch to your mix without compromising clarity. Drumstrip and Vocalstrip are ‘task specific’ plug-ins which each gather together a set of carefully selected and lovingly crafted processing tools to get you straight to outstanding Drum and Vocal sounds quickly and easily.

X-EQ and X-Comp are both mastering grade processors that deliver superb balance of precision and tonal character. X-Verb is an incredibly powerful and flexible processor which brings beautiful hardware standard reverb to your DAW. X-Valvecomp and X-Saturator are both new plug-ins designed to inject some analogue style saturation into your digital DAW. X-Phase also a new release is designed to help you fix awkward phase issues with our high-precision frequency-specific phase control toolkit.

Rob Papen has introduced Punch-DB, a bass drum synthesizer and sample player plug-in based around the BD module of the multi award winning Punch virtual drum synthesizer.

Stacking bass drums is a popular technique used by today’s music producers and Punch-BD gives you the ability to stack up to 6 in total. Divide the 6 BD pads over the keyboard or use them ‘stacked’ in tuned mode to produce creative new BD sounds for all styles of contemporary music.

Punch-BD delivers synthesized drums in the finest audio quality or you can choose to load in your own samples for complete flexibility. Each pad has its own distortion module with several distortion types as well as its own 3 band graphic EQ. What’s more, each individual pad also has its own preset section next to the overall ‘BD kit’.

Like its big brother, Punch-BD features four FX units each with many 31 types of top quality FX plus further filters, envelopes, modulation routings and more for crafting your own unique sound.

FabFilter has released Pro-Q 2, an updated version of its equalizer effect plug-in for Windows and Mac.

Here are all the details:

Completely redesigned EQ engine

For Pro-Q 2, FabFilter has completely redesigned the internal filter engine from the ground up — not only improving the existing Zero Latency and Linear Phase processing modes, but also introducing a unique Natural Phase mode. Besides perfectly matching the magnitude response of analog EQ’ing, Natural Phase also closely matches the analog phase response, without introducing noticeable pre-ring or a long latency. Last but not least, FabFilter Pro-Q 2 is more than twice as CPU-efficient as its predecessor.

Universal filter slope support

Very steep filter slopes of up to 96 dB/octave are now available, and, uniquely, FabFilter Pro-Q 2 lets users change the slope of any filter type — not just the usual Low/High Cut filters. This makes it possible to create super-narrow bell filters, very steep or gently sloping shelves, and more. In addition to the existing Bell, Low/High Shelf, Low/High Cut, and Notch filters, Pro-Q 2 also features new Band-Pass and Tilt Shelf filter types.

More interface innovations

Furthermore, FabFilter Pro-Q 2 is boosted by an abundance of user interface innovations. Spectrum Grab enables users to directly adjust peaks in the real-time spectrum analyzer display. Pro-Q 2 offers flexible interface resizing, in addition to a Full Screen mode that makes it easier than ever to do ultra-precise adjustments. EQ Match lets users match the spectrum of another track in just a few seconds. All this power is neatly integrated into a gorgeous, uncluttered interface that lets users focus freely on music and workflow.

Original and trailblazing

Of course, Pro-Q 2 features everything that was great about the original Pro-Q — up to 24 EQ bands, innovative interface with unsurpassed workflow and multi-band selection, per-channel EQ’ing in L/R or M/S mode, real-time spectrum analyzer, intelligent solo mode, double-click text entry, stereo/mono plug-ins, Pro Tools hardware surface support — as well as all the trailblazing FabFilter bells and whistles that users have come to expect and love — perfectly fine-tuned knobs and controllers, GPU-powered graphics acceleration, interactive MIDI Learn, undo/redo and A/B switch, Smart Parameter Interpolation for smooth parameter transitions, an extensive help file with interactive help hints, sample-accurate automation, advanced optimization, and more.

FabFilter Pro-Q 2 for Windows and Mac (VST/AU/RTAS/AAX/AudioSuite) is available for purchase for 149 EUR/$199 USD/£124 GBP. Bundles with FabFilter Pro-Q 2 and other FabFilter plug-ins are also available. Existing FabFilter customers can purchase or upgrade to Pro-Q 2 with a discount from their online user accounts.

Tom Brislin explores Muse Research’s top-of-the-line hardware plug-in host, the Receptor Qu4ttro. Read the full review in the September 2014 issue of Keyboard. The Muse Receptor Qu4ttro is a rackmount computer that’s designed specifically for use as a hardware VST host. It lets you run VSTs as a hardware module.

RECEPTOR is not a computer. And it’s not a hardware synth or effects processor, either. RECEPTOR is a “hybrid music instrument” that serves as a stand-alone solution for running virtual instruments and effects software. With RECEPTOR, you don’t have to buy a bunch of interfaces and install a bunch of drivers to start making music, since the RECEPTOR is a complete, rack-mount musical instrument and effects processor that works right out of the box. Nothing more to buy, install, or fiddle with to get working.

These RECEPTORs provide a custom front panel hardware user interface that lets you harness all the power and versatility of virtual instruments and effects with minimal hassle – no computer monitor required – making the RECEPTOR something that ALL musicians can use.

RECEPTOR is software-powered, but it employs a custom, purpose-built operating system and host application for running your software to let you make music without the worry or hassle of system conflicts, long boot and load times, slow disc messages, system hiccups, viruses, and the other stability problems that plague computers. Even better, the RECEPTOR is designed for superior playability, so your favorite virtual instruments and effects feel better than ever before.

Dave Clarke (Depeche Mode, Chemical Brothers, John Foxx, I am Kloot, Louisahhh!!! & Maelstrom) has been among the leading techno DJ/producers of the past two decades, commanding the respect of listeners everywhere, from massive outdoor festivals such as Tommorowland to the grittiest clubs of the underground scene.

The Dave Clarke EMP Toolbox contains seven supreme sound–crafting processors – the ones he uses regularly in his mixing and mastering sessions. With this collection of plugins, electronic music producers of any style will find what they need to give their mixes a professional lift. And if techno or electro is your trade, you will find even more.

Dave Clarke EMP Toolbox features

API 560 Graphic EQ.

Scheps 73 EQ/Preamp.

Aphex Vintage Aural Exciter.

LoAir Subharmonic Generator.

MetaFlanger.

Kramer Master Tape.

Dorrough Meters (Stereo).

The Dave Clarke EMP Toolbox is available for purchase for the introductory price of $599 USD (regular $800 USD).